TOWN OF HILLSVILLE - “A TRADING TRADITION”

Travelers along the Crooked Road should make Hillsville a stopping point. It is conveniently situated at the crossroads of several important highways: Routes 52, 58, 100, and 221 and is adjacent to Interstate 77 (Exit 14). A regional airport is within five miles of town.

Known first as the Cranberry Plains Community, and later Carrollton, the town selected the name Hillsville in honor of the James Hill family. The town was established as the county seat of Carroll County when it was formed in 1842. Of interest is the fact that a plat was laid out to build the town – making Hillsville one of few planned communities in the United States.

As a county seat, the town has remained the predominant commercial hub for the community and is the only incorporated locality. In years past, the monthly meeting of the county court brought people into town by the wagon loads, which used to line the streets as goods and produce were traded, stories told, and horses sold. While the community role of the county court days has passed, the trading tradition continues. Hillsville is home to the annual VFW Labor Day Gun Show and Flea Market. This event, held the Friday through Monday of Labor Day, is regarded as the “Largest Flea Market East of the Mississippi.” An estimated 300,000 visit the event each year. A smaller, yet significant, flea market is also held the Friday through Monday of Memorial Day weekend.

Without hesitation, the focal point for the Town of Hillsville is its downtown district. It underwent a substantial revitalization program in 2002. The downtown area was listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2001 as a Historic District. Key elements to the district include the Historic Carroll County Courthouse built 1872-1874 with Confederate monument and rock wall, the Hale-Wilkinson-Carter Home, Carroll County Historical Museum, and the Hillsville Diner. The diner is the oldest continuously operating streetcar diner in the state of Virginia.

Several long-time businesses are located in the downtown section, which include Nuckolls Drug (est. 1896), Guynn Hardware (est. 1906), and the Family Shoe Store (est. 1950). Arts and crafts products made by local artisans are available in many stores. A walking tour has been developed for Hillsville. There is a diverse range of other businesses around Hillsville. It should be noted that Hillsville is home to several 1950s curb service diners. Travelers along the Crooked Road will find ample accommodations available in Hillsville, as well as other restaurants. Hillsville is home to the Carroll Wellness Center, a new state-of-the-art physical fitness facility featuring indoor walking path, Olympic size swimming pool, fitness programs and equipment.

Additional attractions and events of interest include: The Beaver Dam Creek Walking Trail which is a part of the statewide birding and wildlife trail, The Carter Pines Community Park with Carter Hydraulic Water Rams, Second County Jail Site, Daniel Boone Highway Marker, Fourth of July Festivities, Annual Christmas Bazaar, Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting, Carroll County EXPO, and Old Mountain Home Week.

As a part of the Crooked Road, the Town of Hillsville plays an important role with both its heritage of music and current offerings. Historically significant musicians include the banjo-fiddle duo of James Preston “J.P.” Nester (b. 1876) and Norman “Uncle Norm” Edmonds (b. 1889) who had recorded four tracks at the August 1, 1927 Bristol Recording Sessions. The Grover King VFW Post #1115 hosts a weekly music jam session. A number of bluegrass and traditional musicians call Hillsville home. Local radio station WHHV (1400 AM) plays gospel bluegrass every week day from 2-3 p.m. Informal jam sessions are occasionally held in town. In recent years, the town has begun to sponsor two Beach Music concert events and despite being in the land of traditional music, these festive events have become very popular: Hillsville Beach Music Street Party and Historic Hillsville’s Downtown Celebration.

For additional information on Hillsville, please contact Town Hall at (276) 728-2128, the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, the Galax-Carroll-Grayson Chamber of Commerce, or the Carroll County Office of Tourism.